What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa (generic: dabigatran) is a prescription medication used by patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. Pradaxa is utilized to try and prevent strokes or severe blood clots in those patients. Pradaxa is in a class of blood thinners (anticoagulants) known as direct thrombin inhibitors. They operate by preventing the formation of blood clots in the body. Some common side effects of Pradaxa may include upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, discolored urine, coughing up blood, dizziness, or headaches among other potential side effects.

Pradaxa Heart Attack Risk

Pradaxa has recently been in the public eye due to reports that the drug may cause a significantly higher risk of heart attacks or heart disease than its counterparts. A report conducted by researchers Ken Uchino, MD and Adrian V. Hernandez, MD, suggest that Pradaxa carries as much as a 33% higher risk of heart attack or other heart disease complications than comparable drug warfarin.

Their conclusions are drawn from seven clinical trials which enlisted the data of more than thirty thousand patients taking Pradaxa, placebos, or other comparable drugs. According to the study, “the risk of heart attack or acute coronary syndrome is increased with Pradaxa compared with various control treatments including adjusted-dose warfarin or a placebo.”

Uchino and Hernandez’s study is not the first medical evaluation to shed light on Pradaxa’s potentially damaging side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating a large number of reports claiming severe bleeding associated with Pradaxa. Officials in both Australia and Japan have already released safety warnings regarding the dangers of Pradaxa. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends that doctors monitor patient’s kidney function before prescribing Pradaxa.

The EMA’s action is just one more in a long line of post-release warnings related to potential dangers of Pradaxa. If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack which you believe was caused by the use of Pradaxa, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a Pradaxa Heart Attack Lawsuit. If you would like your potential Pradaxa heart attack lawsuit to be reviewed please fill out the form on this page, or call the listed number.

The recent studies conducted specifically about Pradaxa causing heart attacks discovered that there is a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with the use of Pradaxa. This could potentially be a huge blow to Pradaxa manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Currently the blood thinner market is estimated to be worth approximately $9 billion per year worldwide.

Rival drugmakers Johnson & Johnson and Bayer AG produce another blood thinner, Xarelto and they will likely seek to capitalize on these revelations regarding their rival drug Pradaxa and heart attacks.

The study conducted by Uchino and Hernandez analyzed 20,000 patients taking Pradaxa, and of those, 237 had a heart attack or significant chest pains compared with only 83 of the remaining 10,500 patients taking either warfarin or a placebo.

Along with the increased competition from Johnson & Johnson and Bayer AG, pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb are seeking approval for their joint venture pill Eliquis. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, and the news about Pradaxa and heart attacks does not bode well for its longevity on the market.

Pradaxa Side Effects

Side effects of Pradaxa may include some or all of the following:

• stomach pain
• heartburn
• heavy menstrual bleeding
• bleeding from a cut that lasts longer than normal
• joint pain or swelling
• nausea
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• pink or brown urine
• red or black, tarry stools
• coughing up blood
• vomiting material that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
• dizziness
• weakness
• bleeding from the gums
• frequent nosebleeds
• swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• headache
• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

Pradaxa Heart Attack Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack shortly after or while taking Pradaxa, you may have grounds for a Pradaxa Heart Attack Lawsuit against the makers of Pradaxa. Research shows that there are a significant number of Pradaxa-related deaths, and those suffering may not be aware that it may have been caused by Pradaxa. If you believe that your loved one’s death may have been caused by Pradaxa, please contact a lawyer to see if you qualify for a Pradaxa Heart Attack Lawsuit in order to recover damages from the makers of Pradaxa.